Reflections on life in the global village

Terrorism: The ultimate blasphemy

Fighting in war as a last resort seems to be acceptable in most — if not all — religions. Certainly, if Christian nations had turned the other cheek to Hitler during the Second World War, the world would be a much darker place for humanity now.

Sometimes we have no choice but to defend ourselves with violence against violent aggressors who have struck the first blow. If there is a God, I don’t think It would view self-defence as sin. Indeed, I think God would view self-defence against the likes of Hitler as a noble cause, and would applaud those who sacrificed themselves so that others could live freely in peace.

(Note: As a Theosophist, I have a Hindu-based view on this subject, as Krishna directed Arjuna on the battlefield in the Bhagavad’Gita.)

On the other hand, I don’t think God would have applauded Hitler or any other aggressor who started wars. In fact, I know this in my heart. It is the one who casts the first stone who is the most guilty; he breaks one of God’s fundamental laws and, in effect, commits an act of blasphemy against God Itself — no matter the reasoning of the aggressor, and no matter whether it is done in God’s name or not. To kill another human in any way but self-defence is contrary to God’s commandments, though sometimes in the perceived acts of self-defence, nations can commit horrendous aggressive acts that result in the unnecessary deaths of innocent people (re: Nagasaki and Hiroshima). Such is the Pandora’s box opened by that first stone.

Would the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima be considered acts of blasphemy? I think so. They were an abomination against mankind, and against God — if such a being exists.

But while many would debate the morality of war and how it might be perceived by a supreme, loving supernatural entity, is there anything to debate about acts of terrorism we witness today?

I strongly suspect — indeed, I know — that to murder people in office buildings, shopping malls et al in the name of God is the ultimate act of blasphemy, because there is nothing noble about it and God would never, ever condone such acts. I do not need to expand on this point.

So how is it that “religious” terrorists lose sight of God? How is it that they are blinded by hate? How is it that they would think God would support their cowardly acts of terror?

I’ve been thinking recently that some people on Earth seem to be lacking a conscience. I noticed this when looking into the eyes (in pictures) of some of Canada’s most notorious murderers: there is no trace of a conscience. Perhaps they have compartmentalized that part of their being, put it away lest it rear up and weigh heavily on their minds.

Perhaps that is what happens with terrorists. Perhaps they lock away their conscience — the voice of God, if you will — so that they can commit their acts of horror.

Because nobody with a conscience — whether they believe in God or not — could do such things.

5 thoughts on “Terrorism: The ultimate blasphemy”

But regardless of “Religion”..whatever, there is big $$$$ behind this. Acts of individuals we will never be able to halt, unless you are capable of identifying them in one way or another Again, not such a good thing in the hands of the wrong people.. A whole army or guerrillas is another matter. You are right, terrorism is war and if we know anything about war it is over $$$$(property), the true root of all evil. So God has little to do with this. We “invented” Him after all. I think this was a pretext however for “this is mine. And what’s yours is mine” %@ PS. To pack a gun is still No. And that’s not the problem either. There are just to God-damn many of them.

Also, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife,house,servants,animals .. But if you ask most Christians or Jews for that matter to recite the them it’s about the same as asking Americans who the PM of Canada is }D